In an Australian-first collaboration, RMIT University is working with Apple to deliver its App Development with Swift curriculum. The collaboration will provide opportunities to thousands of students that want to join the booming app economy and develop the digital skills they need for the future workforce. In this special bonus episode of Talking Business, Garry Barker chats with Apple VP Lisa Jackson about the impact this will have on students, industry and the university.

In the final episode of Talking Business for 2017, and the last time they will be presenting for RMIT, Leon and Garry uncover how banks can better target millennials. They also interview AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver. Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · Deutsche Bank warning that Bitcoin is a big market risk for 2018 · Westfield agreeing to a takeover by Europe’s largest landlord, Unibail-Rodamco for $32 billion · NAB figures showing a sharp...

Adam O’Neill, managing director of Y Soft Australia talks about print management for finance teams Interview with economist Nicholas Gruen Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · US tax changes and problems with the Brexit talks · A bounce in Australian retail figures as Amazon launches · The ACCC investigating Google and Facebook Relevant links: https://www.ysoft.com/en

Jamie Thurin talks about his health food company Slim Secrets Interview with economist Saul Eslake Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · The spectacular rise of Bitcoin · The increasing likelihood of a banking royal commission · NBN delaying its rollout of HFC cable and the impact on Telstra https://slimsecrets.com.au/

Mike Sakalas talks about how he digitized Collingwood Football Club Interview with RMIT economist Sinclair Davidson Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · Janet Yellen deciding to leave the Federal Reserve after not being re-nominated as Fed chair · Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull flagging tax cuts for middle income earners · Amazon’s launch in Australia http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/

Marcus Moufarrige talks about running the global business of Servcorp as an office space provider in cities like New York Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · The next development of Brexit with the British parliament considering specific legislation · Elders doubling its profit and reinstating a dividend after nine years · NAB reporting that Australian business conditions are at their best in 20 years. http://www.servcorp.com.au/en/ Servcorp,...

IBIS World senior industry analyst Nathan Cloutman talks about Woolworths’ decision not to stock many of Coca-Cola Amatil’s products under the iconic Mount Franklin brand and Coke No Sugar Interview with AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · Westpac and CBA profits · The pound set to fall on the back of Brexit talks and UK politics · The ASX 2000 breaking 6000 for the first time since the GFC Relevant links...

Wade Wallace, CEO of cycling media company Cycling Tips, talks about the bicycle industry Interview with RMIT economist Sinclair Davidson Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · The ACCC warning that the NBN might have to be relieved of its responsibility of delivering a profit · The battle between the Myer board and Solomon Lew · A $700m solar, battery and pumped hydro project powering the Whyalla steelworks https://cyclingtips.com/

Manjua Wijesekera talks about Wavelink, and cyber security issues. Interview with economist Nicholas Gruen Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · The future of the NBN · The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Enforcement Review Taskforce has recommended steeper penalties for corporate crooks · Solomon Lew declaring war on the Myer board Relevant links: http://www.wavelink.com.au/

Marcelo Silvia talks about Digital Transformation Scores (DTS), a diagnostic tool that helps organisations understand where they sit in the digital maturity spectrum and against their corporate competitors. Interview with economist Saul Eslake. - Leon and Garry talk about issues including: - Trump about to pick a new head of the Fed - Australian house prices soaring a mind-boggling 6556 per cent since the early 1960s, according to the Bank of International Settlements. - The Turnbull...

Dean Foley talks about Barayamal, Australia’s Indigenous Business Accelerator and about indigenous businesses. Interview with economist Stephen Koukoulas. Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · The IMF upping its forecast for global growth · The government backing away from the CET · Australia Post competing with Amazon Relevant links: https://www.barayamal.com.au/

Mirabai Winford talks about her company Purebaby selling gear for infants Interview with economist Shane Oliver Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · The future of Fed chair Janet Yellen · QBE struggling with the “costliest year” in the history of the insurance industry · QIC expanding into US malls https://www.purebaby.com.au/

Hugh Evans, CEO of From Here On talks about his business design and strategic architecture consultancy Interview with RMIT economist Sinclair Davidson Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · Euro falling on the back of the German election result · Worse than expected gas shortages in Australia · Fonterra making a bid for Murray Goulburn http://www.fromhereon.com/

Mike Garrett founder of Adelaide air-conditioning software company Delft Red Simulation Technology talks about how his company is growing with strong international demand Interview with economist Nicholas Gruen Leon and Garry talk about issues including: - Warnings from the Bank of England that Brexit will hobble the UK economy - American broadcaster CBS emerging as the likely winning bidder of the embattled Ten Network - Chief Scientist Alan Finkel urging the government to get on with...

Tony Loxton talks about his company Blix increasing insight and accountability for sales and marketing in the retail and automotive industries. Interview with economist Stephen Koukoulas Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · The impact of Hurricane Irma on the US economy and the May government passing legislation taking Brexit one step closer · The battle between the Turnbull government and AGL · Adani building a solar farm in Queensland. ...

Tony Falkenstein, chief executive of NZ-based listed company Just Water International talks about how his firm pioneered the NZ water cooler industry, and has been leading the Australasian market ever since. Interview with economist Saul Eslake Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · The Australian Energy Market Operator has warned that Australia faces more blackouts over the next 10 years with the retirement of older coal-fired power stations and renewables not plugging...

Interview with economist AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · An analysis of the economic impact of Hurricane Harvey · CBS acquiring Network Ten · All the profit figures Relevant links: http://www.apra.gov.au/MediaReleases/Pages/17_34.aspx

Business coach Margaret Johnson talks about how she works with companies. Interview with economist Nicholas Gruen Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · After delivering a five-fold increase in full year underlying profit, BHP Billiton announcing it will quit its US shale business, following pressure from activist investors · The Australian Bankers Association waring it will take South Australia and Western Australia to the High Court if they introduces a bank...

Lauren Magner, analyst at IBISWorld talks about the retail sector and Amazon’s impact Interview with RMIT economist Sinclair Davidson Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · As CEOs of major corporations flee President Trump’s two business advisory councils to protest Mr Trump’s remarks on neo-Nazi violence in Virginia that left one dead and several injured, Trump disbands both groups. · Commonwealth Bank chief executive officer Ian Narev falling on his sword in...

Ken Waller director of RMIT’s Australian APEC Study Centre (AASC) talks about the AASC securing a $14 million three year contract with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Interview with economist Stephen Koukoulas Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · The iron ore price rising to its highest level in four months on the back of looming production curbs with Beijing ordering steel producers to reduce output this winter in an effort to curb chronic air...

Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · Republican Party leaders have doubled down on their promise of tax reform even after the Senate's failure to pass even a scaled-down ObamaCare repeal bill · The RBA keeping the cash rate on hold with a warning about the dollar and Amazon coming to Australia · The start of the profit season Relevant links: http://deskspace.com.au/

Tim Kremer, co-founder of Avaza, talks about his all-in-one professional services automation tool that seamlessly combines time tracking, expense reporting, quoting and invoicing with project management Interview with AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · The Treasurer Scott Morrison attacking Opposition leader Bill Shorten’s claim that inequality is at a 75 year high, describing it as a “lie”. · Trustees of...

Dominic Pellegrino, Director of ValueMyBusiness, and Professor Kosmas Smyrnios from RMIT's School of Management talk about the collaboration of RMIT and Value My Business to launch a co-branded Index of Business Value Multiples. Interview with RMIT economist Sinclair Davidson Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · China’s GDP increasing more than expected and the US dollar and bond yields diving after the Republican healthcare bill in the Senate collapsed. · Young...

Dr Daniel Richards discusses his research showing investors are likely to trade more frequently and thereby degrade their returns. Interview with economist Stephen Koukoulas Leon and Garry talk about issues including: · Global markets rocked by Donald Trump Jr’s decision to release emails of a meeting with a Russian lawyer described as having potentially damaging information on Hillary Clinton during last year’s presidential campaign. · A report from Melbourne-based...

Alex Morkos, the director of Aleron Security in Sydney talks about the implications of the new mandatory data breach notification law for Australia. Interview with economist Nicholas Gruen Leon and Garry talk about issues including: Fairfax shares crashing after the publisher announced it is going ahead with its plans to spin off its real estate section Domain with two private equity bidders pulling out. The competition regulator starting an informal review of a proposed joint bid by...